Ichikawa Danjūrō II in the Scene "Wait a Moment" (Shibaraku)

In the first half of the eighteenth century the production of prints of Kabuki actors was dominated by artists of the Torii-family school. Kiyotada, a student of Torii Kiyonobu, the school's founder, portrayed the actor Danjūrō II (1688–1758) in a "Shibaraku!" role. Danjūrō II is captured here in an acting pose at the moment he strides vigorously forward on the runway to the stage (hanamichi). The boldly designed costume features the Ichikawa family crest of three nested squares (mimasu).
Torii Kiyotada (Japanese, fl. ca. 1720–50)
Edo period (1615–1868)